Explore the Black Forest on a Budget
When you think of Germany, your mind fills with thoughts of
cuckoo clocks, dense forests like Grimm's
Fairy Tales and some decadent cake made of chocolate and cherries with lots
of whipped cream on it above?
If so, the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) is definitely where
you should head! And you're in luck - this area will certainly give you plenty
of room to explore without depleting your bank account.
Located in south-west Germany, the Black Forest stretches
from Baden-Baden, the spa town of Monte
Carlo in Germany, to the border with Switzerland, along the Rhine and
almost to at Lake Constance.
Exploring the Black Forest Region
Although this region is a great place to visit for hikers
and outdoor enthusiasts, it also has a lot to offer culture lovers, with many
castles, museums and old churches to choose from. Follow our tips to help you
save on your Black Forest adventure.
How to Get There
If you are flying to the Black Forest region outside of
Europe, you have several options. Germany's largest airport, Frankfurt
International, is about 90 minutes by train from the northern part of the Black
Forest. Zurich and Stuttgart also have international airports about a two hour
drive or closer, depending on which part of the region you want. Two other
options to consider, especially if you are traveling
from Europe, are the airports of Karlsruhe-Baden Baden and Basel-Mulhouse,
which are close to Freiburg. These two small airports serve discount airlines
like Ryan Air and Easy Jet.
All towns in the Black Forest region are also easily
accessible by train or bus. If you plan to do some exploration, you may also
want to consider renting a car.
Ways to save
Make sure to book all plane, train and bus tickets as far in
advance as possible. Prices can go up considerably the closer you book to the
actual duration of the trip. Compare prices between train trips and discounted
bus lines, such as Flixbus, to make sure you get the best deal. Unless you have a specific destination in mind, you can
also check and see which city is the cheapest to reach, and then go from there.
Things to do
Although Baden has many picturesque towns to enjoy, no trip
to the region is complete without a getaway to the Black Forest itself. We have
put together the following guide with ideas for city trips that include a lot
of nature nearby.
Heidelberg
Heidelberg is home to the oldest university in Germany, founded in 1386. But this charming
city is more than just a university city. Heidelberg is popular worldwide for
its old town in Baroque style and
its romantic setting on the Neckar River.
Philosophenweg
In Freiberg, be sure to follow in the footsteps of the great
philosophers and poets of the past by taking a hike in the Philosphenweg (path
of the philosopher). To get there, take one of the bridges across the river and
climb the laces. It takes a little while, but the views are worth it. If you
haven't already filled up on hikes, the area also has many hiking trails to
explore.
Freiburg
Freiburg, another of Baden's
famous university towns, has a beautiful old town with Bächle, paved
gutters filled with running water. But beware! If you fall into one of these
gutters, legend has it that you will marry a local. Just try to explain this to
your significant other.
Schauinsland
The beloved Hausberg of Freiburg (local mountain), the
Schauinsland offers many hiking trails that will put you in search of Hansel
and Gretel - don't snack on the gingerbread houses. On a clear day you can even
see the tips of the Swiss Alps from here.
How to get there
Schauinsland is located in region 3 of the Freiburg
transport network, so it is easily accessible by public transport. Take the
tram towards Gunterstal until the end, then change to the bus by cable car
(Schauinslandbahn). The cable car will take you on a fun trip higher up the
mountain, but tickets are a bit expensive (round trip tickets € 12.50 for
adults, € 9 for children), so you might want to jump.
Lake Titisee
Also located in region 3 of the Freiburg transport network,
Lake Titisee is a beautiful alpine lake nestled high up on the hills of the
Black Forest. You will find many trails around this lake, which stretches for a
mile. The village of Titisee is a bit of a tourist
trap, so no need to check it out unless you want to stock up on Black
Forest kitsch and maybe a couple of cuckoo clocks.
How to get there
To get there, take the train to Titisee-Neustadt from
Friborg. The trip takes just under an hour.
Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden is a famous spa town whose thermal waters have
provided a relaxing bath since Roman times. In the 19th century, this city was
famous for its luxury hotels, casinos and horse racing, making it a chic
playground for celebrities of the Victorian era.
Schwarzwald Nationalpark
Baden-Baden is also close to the Schwarzwald National Park
(Black Forest National Park), which includes about 40 square miles of forest,
glacial lakes and vast straight meadows from a story book.
How to get there
To reach this national forest by car, take the
Schwarzwaldhochstraße (Black Forest Road). You can also get there by taking
the line 245 bus to Mummelsee, then covering the seven miles or sharing a taxi
for € 16 to € 20. The trip takes just over an hour.
Freudenstadt
Freudenstadt is located on the other side of the Black
Forest National Park. This picturesque town has an old market square where you can see parts of the foundation of a
castle that was never built. The city also has a Gothic-Renaissance church and lots of sun all year round. Like
Baden-Baden, Freudenstadt is also a city of well-being, so do not hesitate to
"take the waters" like an old-fashioned European aristocrat during
your visit.
For affordable accommodation at the Hotel Krone or at the
Gasthof Jägerstüble with free breakfast.
The Baden Wine Route
Forget the cuckoo clocks - the best that the Baden region
has to offer is its wine and cuisine. If you are a wine lover, it is worth exploring
a stretch of the Baden wine route. This route takes you through vineyards near
many cities in Baden, including Heidelberg, Freiburg and Baden-Baden.
Tips for saving on a trip to the Black Forest
Stay outside of Baden-Baden
Although Baden-Baden is worth a visit, this upscale city is
a bit expensive for the budget traveler.
When choosing accommodation, you'd probably be better off choosing Freiburg or
Heidelberg as your base and traveling from there. If you want to stay in town,
there are a few affordable options depending on the time of year you book.
Eat at bakeries and beer gardens
Besides wine, the Baden region has excellent bread and
regional dishes. To save on meals, why not buy a little something from a bakery
for lunch and have a cheap meal in a beer or wine garden for dinner? Some local
specialties that you should definitely check out include maultaschen (large
ravioli usually served with butter and onions or in a soup), spätzle (soft egg
noodles, cheese and onions - essentially the tastiest and lightest version
macaroni and cheese from southern Germany), and, of course, the world famous
classic, Schwarzwald Torte (Black Forest cake).
Pick up a tourist card
If you spend several days in Freiburg or Heidelberg, you may
want to consider purchasing a local discount card. Freiburg offers the 3-day
WelcomeKarte, which offers free transport on all buses, trams and trains, and
includes a free trip on the otherwise expensive Schauinsland cable car. The WelcomeKarte costs € 26 for adults and
€ 16 for children 14 and under. Heidelberg also offers the Heidelberg CARD for a
maximum of four days and the family card for two days.
If you plan to make a lot of trips in one day, the
Baden-Württemberg-Ticket could save you some dough. With this ticket, you can
travel in the 2nd class wagons of all trains in the region for 24 hours. The
more people in your group, the greater the savings. For example, tickets for
one person cost € 24, while a ticket for five costs € 48. Children 14 and under
travel free.
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